One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Remember When 100,000 Voters' Names Were Left Off The Rosters? Now We Know What Happened
Residents of Boyle Heights vote in the primary election on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (File photo by Signe Larsen/KPCC)
Remember that glitch back in June that left over 100,000 names off Los Angeles County voter rosters? Well, a new report out Wednesday points to the cause of the massive error.
An investigation by IBM Security Services has identified a software problem as the root of a printing error that left voters confused and angry and poll workers overwhelmed.
According to the investigation, new file formatting changes to the statewide voter database were not compatible with the county's system. That led to empty spaces for the birthdates of more than 118,000 voters.
This confused L.A. County's voter information management system. As a result, it mistakenly classified the voters as underage -- and then left them off the printed precinct rosters.
IBM has advised the county to update the software code and implement new quality control practices.
The county says steps are being taken to ensure the problem doesn't happen again. The county paid $230,000 for the review.
Sponsored message
News happens every day. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you and the community you live in. Now that we're part of KPCC, those stories (including this one you're on right now!) are made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism isn't cheap, but with your support we can keep delivering it. Donate now.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
